Leave your Comments

Contributors

UNIT – I
ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY
DEFINITION, SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE
CHAPTER 1 ENVIRONMENT, SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE
1.1 Introduction:
Environmental science is the study of nature and the facts about environment. Basically
environment can be defined as “all the social, economical, physical & chemical factors that surrounds
man” (or) “all abiotic and biotic components around man-all living and non-living things surrounds
man”.
1.2 Environment Components can be divided into biotic and abiotic components.
According to ancient man the environment was the Panchaboodhas (i.e) air, water, land, sky
and energy. The human were disciples of nature. They were able to protect themselves from harmful
one and protect the others. But according to modern man the environment is only air land and water.
Exploitation of various earth resources to satisfy the increasing needs of human population has
resulted in 1) depletion of various resources of earth 2) pollution. Principles of environmental
education:
 Examine the major environmental issues
 Discover the root cause
 Develop problem solving skills
 Promote co-operation in solving problems
 Emphasis active participation in prevention and solution to problems.
1.3 Scope of environmental science:
 Studying the interrelationship between the components of env.
 Carrying out impact analysis and env. Audit
 Preventing pollution from existing and new industries
 Stopping the use of biological and nuclear weapons
 Managing unpredictable disasters etc.
1.4 Public awareness:
Environmental Pollution or problems cannot be solved by mere laws. Public participation is
an important aspect which serves the environmental Protection. Public awareness of environmental Is
at infant stage 30-40% of public of developing country are aware of environmental. Problems but
they do not bother about it.
 Ignorance and incomplete knowledge has lead to misconceptions
1

 Development and improvement in std. of living has lead to serious environmental disasters
 Debate on environmental Issues are treated as anti-developmental
1.5 Reasons for environmental Ignorance:
Science, technology and economics failed to integrate the knowledge on environmental
Aspects in curriculum the decision makers do not process environmental Angle of decision making
consideration of economic growth, poverty eradication has lead to environmental Degradation only
few developmental activities are made considering the environmental Aspects.
1.6 Need For Public Awareness:
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held at Reo de Janeiro in
1992 (popularly known as “Earth Summit”) and world summit on sustainable development at
Johannesburg in 2002, have highlighted the key issues of global environmental concern. They have
attracted the attention of people. Any government at its own cannot achieve the goals of clear
environment until the public participate in action. Public participation is possible only when the
public is aware about the ecological and environmental issues. Eg. Ban- the littering of polythene.
1.7 Methods to propagate environmental Awareness:
1. Among students through education – introducing environmental studies in the curriculum.
2. Among public through mass media- environmental programmmes through TV, radio etc.
3. Among decision makers, planners, leaders etc.
1.8 Role of NGOs
1. Advise the government in interacting with ground level people
2. Organize public meetings to create environmental awareness Eg. Recent report of “centre for
science and environment‟ on permissible limits of pesticides in cola drinks. Public awareness is
needed in the area
3. Study of natural resources-conservation and management
4. Ecology and biodiversity – conservation 3. environmental Pollution and prevention
5. Social issues related to development and environment
6. Human population and environment.
2